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Knoxville, TENN. (6 September 2018) – The Knoxville Ice Bears and Head Coach Jeff Carr announced Thursday the signing of Belarusian center Ilya Bobko for the 2018-2019 season.

Bobko, 21, joins the Ice Bears after spending the last three seasons bouncing from club to club in Belarus and Russia; Bobko also played under Carr with the Ogden Mustangs of the WSHL, in 2016, where scored 18 points in 12 games – including 5 playoff games.

“Bobko plays old school, Russian style hockey – think West Texas football – which is exactly what we’re looking for, this season,” Carr said. “His hand-eye coordination is through the roof, and his net front presence is incredible.”

On the Belarus U20 team, Bobko had the opportunity to play with KHL talent, bolstering his potential as a breakout player. Skipping his way across Eastern Europe has affected his stat lines; however, Bobko is ready to settle into an established system and begin his push through the ranks. The net-front presence and faceoff skills Bobko already possesses will allow Coach Carr to groom him to fit the Knoxville system and have a strong impact on the success of the Ice Bears, this year.

Rose, from Sewell, NJ, is entering his first full season of professional hockey – he played five games with the Macon Mayhem in 2018, after finishing his collegiate career. Rose attended both Neumann University and Stevenson University (NCAA III) where he collected a combined 54 points (20 goals, 34 assists). Before college, Rose played juniors for the Fairbanks Ice Dogs (NAHL) where he won the 2013-2014 Robertson Cup Championship.

“Doug is an all-around great defenseman,” Carr said. “He is a proficient scorer, playing high offense from the blue line, and he is definitely capable of running the first or second power play unit.”

Doug Rose is another in a long line of defensemen signed by Knoxville this season. With training camp less than a month away, the Ice Bears’ roster is continually growing more competitive. Only sixteen skaters can make the roster so, Rose and the rest of the current squad will have to battle to earn a spot on the October 19th Opening Night roster.

Zemlicka, 23, worked his way through the leagues last season, playing only 8 games in the Czech3 league and 18 for the Carolina Thunderbirds (FHL) before joining the Mississippi RiverKings (SPHL), for the second half of their 2017-2018 campaign. With Mississippi, Zemlicka put up 17 points in 34 games from the defensive end of the ice.

“Zemlicka is super versatile and could benefit the team in a number of ways,” said Carr. “He is relentless on defense – a real thorn in your side when he’s on his game.”

Scoring half a point per game with the RiverKings, Zemlicka could be a great fit for this year’s Ice Bear roster. Though he’s another in a long line of defensive skaters, Vojtech’s flexibility could provide the extra edge needed to make this year’s team.